Update Time! A Lil Warby Parker and Oliberté

Hey all (PS I'm interspersing pretty pictures I've taken on the islands recently for all you wintered-in folks :)),

Friend hanging 5 at Baby Makapu'u's

Sorry for my prolonged absence -- you know how sometimes everything just piles up at once? Well it's been one of those months. I have three features stories to research and write (topics: O'ahu's only slaughterhouse, ocean artist Heather Brown, and Roxy model and longboarder Kelia Moniz... not too shabby), an entire magazine to copy edit, five nights of restaurant work, and...

OH, right, I got a p/t job with one of my fave blog finds, Oliberté! I'm absolutely stoked and so flattered. As of yet, I'm mostly just handling admin, but eventually I'll also be pulling a lot of online and social media outreach weight, and I largely have this blog to thank.

My lovely friend Charisa

However, this job has also had me pondering how to be open with all of you about the new commitment, yet honest about my research and opinions. I don't want to do Oliberté wrong by plugging competition, but I also need to maintain my own perspective and develop my thoughts on the socially conscious business and nonprofit industry.

Yes, we have a theater out here

So here's what I've decided -- I will tell you all if I feel like it conflicts, but will stick to my guns; meaning even if it isn't necessarily in Oliberté fashion, I'm going to share how I feel appropriate and interesting. I also will not misleadingly promote the company, or be sneaky at all. If I'm excited about something awesome we're doing, I'll share and give a heads up. Deal? Deal. Holler at me if you disagree or have better ideas!

Late-night adventure

In the meantime, check out these awesome Warby Parker glasses I will be waiting for patiently all the way over here in tropical paradise:

They're the Begley in Whiskey Tortoise -- what's awesome about Warby Parker is that they let you order up to 5 types of glasses to try on and then return ... unless you live on the islands, so I'm just hoping they look as awesome on as they do here. I'm sure I'll let you all know.

SO, there's that! I hope to be updating the blog more frequently, and also be guest posting over at Fashion at Liberty, but a lot of change is in the air, so it's a bit tenuous -- I'll do my best to keep you all in the loop.

Aloha!

Oliberté Mustache for Movember = Awesome

I've drooled over Oliberté's shoes enough in front of you all already, but its mustache key chain is pretty effing awesome, so I had to revisit. The perfect key chain version of the ironic mustache necklace (if you haven't already tatted one on your finger), everyone from daddio to your hipster GF would love this as a Christmas gift. (Did I say Christmas?? Yes I did! Aggh! It's not that soon, but there's no such thing as too soon to start stockpiling gifts.)

The Tan Nubuck Oli-Mo, $11, for all us blondies out there who would like to don matching facial hair.


One-hundred percent of the proceeds of the key chain, which is made ethically in Africa with African-sourced materials while adhering to some of the most amazing standards I've seen, go to Movember South Africa. Movember, which is a worldwide movement, raises awareness of men's health issues, primarily prostate and other types of cancer. It's like pinkwashing, but for dudes who are ready to monopolize on their facial hair for a good cause (and/or any excuse they can get). And the marketing campaign/following is super hip. You can find who proceeds fund here.

And if you're as obsessed with Oliberté's shoes as I am and are dying for a pair, snatch 'em up now -- 10 percent of the proceeds go to Movember of South Africa, AND you get an "Oli-Mo" (as the key chains are so cleverly named) if you buy them via oliberte.com or ethicalocean.com.

Here are some of killer options:

Men's Zimbo in Dark Grey Nubuck, $150

Men's Narivo, Brown/Yellow, $150

Men's Gando, Black Red Pullup, $170

Inside detail

I'm rooting for a women's Oliberté wedge -- I would snap 'em up faster than I ate my bag of candy corn. Which is really, embarrassingly quickly. I don't want to talk about it.

Anyway, get your mustache on! And happy Aloha Sunday/Monday!

Favorite Finds Along the Way

I, of course, hope to share as many socially conscious brands and options that I can find, but along the way, I stumble upon a few favorite pieces or check back in with companies I've already written about and find some goodies. Here are a couple such finds, since I just really, really want to share them!

Afia:

This romper, $150, is the shiz. As are these new-color, limited-run shorts for $80 (and the whole outfit is awesome, as well):

This Cri de Couer armlet with fringe, which is totally unique and a fun statement piece ... for $150. At least it's not a $36,000 backpack!

And the Blue-Sheep Tie-Dye Adiba shoes for da ladies by Oliberte, $135:

Also, been checking out this blog a bit: Africa on the Blog.

Yay for Friday! Hope to have some new goodies (and thoughts) for you all next week.

Boys Like Good, Too! Oliberte Footwear

I love men's fashion. However, if a guy friend or my brother offers up his wardrobe for my critique and updating, I freeze. Which is why I'm glad I have this blog to find awesome additions and figure out the tricks of the trade. To start - these shoes are sick, brah:

Adibo, $150

Narivo, $130

Narivo and da kine boat shoe! Buy boat shoe/Mogado here for $140.

Da chukka boot kine.

Oliberte emphasizes that its product is premium footwear made in Africa using materials from Africa (including premium leather from Ethiopia and natural rubber from West Africa), not a means to fund a charity. Oliberte is so good that 1. The leather-donating cows are even free-range, and 2. the company will take your shoes back to repurpose them after you've worn them to their deaths. Currently operating in Ethiopia, Liberia and Kenya, the company partners with factories, suppliers, farmers and workers to create a handsome, quality product.

And guess what? They have a girl version too, and it's tie-dye ...

Adiba for the ladies, $135.

Read the story and learn more about the product here, or head straight to the shopping.

These would work great for my dream man who dresses like a not-too-fashion-conscious logger. Example, you ask?

Oh wait, that's Paul Bunyan .... More like Adrian Grenier in this picture:

The outfit would be complete if he just had a pair of the Adibos! (Pic from Nau). PS I love the entire set-up of this shot, from the golden reindeer to the wolf coffee mug.

Basically, buy a pair of Oliberte shoes, dress like a logger, have a killer cause, play the banjo, win my heart. Too much to ask? I think not.

Happy Aloha Wednesday, all!